>Agreed! This is in line with all good practice. Do you also advocate "weekly builds"? (That is something that I like to see too because it helps keeps people focused on 'shipping').

Weekly deliverable, deliberately! At least, whenever it makes sense.

>>- Everyone has to "buy" into the schedule; developers must agree that their time allocation is reasonable; no one is "forced" to accept a schedule that they do not feel is reasonable. Typically they will feel (with a reasonable schedule) that they can do it faster and will work that much harder to prove their point.
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>Absolutely correct!

I know it from first-hand experience. And I tried never to be too loud with how far ahead of schedule I am, because I kept that earned extra time as a shock-absorber for the tough stuff when it comes. It made me feel more comfortable with the deadlines, and put my mind at ease - which is the state in which I am more productive.